Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the critical link between national security and economic progress ahead of the presentation of Pakistan’s third budget under his government. Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Sharif stated a nation cannot thrive without robust security measures, particularly as the budget is presented to parliament. He acknowledged the necessity of past tax increases driven by both national needs and International Monetary Fund (IMF) requirements to stabilize the economy, expressing gratitude for the public’s patience amidst resulting inflation. While inflation has decreased from 38% to single digits in the last two years, recent global events, specifically the Middle East conflict, have caused a slight increase. Similarly, the policy rate has seen fluctuations, initially decreasing from 22.5% to 11% before a recent rise due to geopolitical tensions. The Prime Minister also paid tribute to security personnel killed in the line of duty, including two Christians, and expressed condolences to their families.